Maxxis High Roller II Tire

I have always been a fan of Maxxis tires, I have ridden Continental, Schwalbe, Forte, Kenda, and more, but I always go back to Maxxis. I am a fairly hard charging rider, and I slip off line quite a bit (more guts than skill at times). This means every tire I buy I look for ones that have durable sidewalls and good cornering traction. I run a 2.4 ardent in the rear, and like that tire because it has a suitable amount of traction, while still being able to break loose in a controlled manner for drifting corners.

The front tire I run is the Higher Roller II in a 2.4 width. I started with the standard EXO sidewalled HR (High Roller) with the Maxterra grip. I was impressed, but the compound was a bit harder than I liked, washing out in dry, dusty corners. I thought the sidewalls were pretty thick and durable, but I went through 2 HRs in less than a year due to sidewall tears. Both still had tons of tread, but took unlucky hits and tore.

I then decided to try out the dual ply DH High Roller II in hopes that the thicker sidewall would provide the extra protection I need from sidewall hits. I realize that a tire can take so much and I should probably just get better at holding a line, but hey I’m working on it. So far the DH HR II has been great. I went with the Maxxgrip version of the tire and the difference in compound is noticeable. I am pushing corners harder than before, and I do not wash out like I did with the Maxterra grip. I do think the compound is a bit slower climbing and rebounds a bit slower, but this is welcome on the downhill sections. The tire is pretty darn heavy at 1,200g, but I am far from a weight weenie and so it doesn’t bother me, but is worth noting. The single ply tires are quite a bit lighter, but the tire is designed for enduro and DH so don’t expect a featherlight tire. So far they have held up awesome as well, all of the knobs are in good shape and there are no tears or damage on the tire’s sidewall. This tire is well known for a reason, they corner well and provide tons of grip without a huge rolling resistance penalty. I will definitely purchase another High Roller II when this one wears out.